The Minority in Parliament has filed a motion seeking to suspend all parliamentary processes related to the vetting and approval of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice until all legal challenges surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo are fully resolved.
The motion, which was formally submitted to the Clerk to Parliament, calls for an immediate halt to proceedings both at the Appointments Committee and on the floor of the House.
According to the Minority, proceeding with the vetting while multiple court cases remain pending would be “premature” and could “undermine the integrity of Parliament’s constitutional role” in approving the head of the judiciary.
The motion cites several constitutional provisions and Standing Orders to back its request. It states in part that:
“That this Honourable House, having regard to Articles 110(1), 125-127, 144(1) and 146 of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Orders 57(1)-(3), 93, 103(f), 216 and 217, resolves to suspend forthwith all further proceedings, both at the Appointments Committee and at Plenary, on the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice until all pending suits and applications directly bearing on the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo (including ECOWAS Court Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25 on provisional measures, multiple Supreme Court proceedings, and High Court applications) are finally determined or withdrawn.”
It specifically references ongoing litigation before the ECOWAS Court, the Supreme Court and the High Court, arguing that any appointment made while these cases are pending could have “serious constitutional implications.”
The motion also directs Parliament’s Business Committee to reprogram the House’s schedule to reflect the suspension, while instructing the Appointments Committee to stand down any planned vetting sessions connected to the nomination.
Additionally, it requests that the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice be summoned to brief the House on the current status of all court cases regarding Justice Torkornoo’s removal.
The proposed briefing, the motion outlines, should cover the identity and jurisdiction of each case, the reliefs being sought, any interim or conservatory orders granted, and Ghana’s international obligations under regional treaties — particularly those related to the ECOWAS Court suit.
It further calls on government to explain “potential legal and constitutional implications of proceeding with the appointment of a successor Chief Justice whilst such litigation remains pending.”
The motion was jointly filed by Anyimadu Antwi (Asante Akim Central), John Darko (Suame), and Gloria Owusu (Trobu), with the support of Damatta Salam Ama Appianimaa (Afigya Kwabre South), Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli (Gushegu), and Kwabena Boateng (Ejisu).
Below is a copy of the document
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
